p.2 #3 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
What I found interesting is that Juristi says he's not good at selling himself, gives the impression that success kind of happened as a happy consequence... and if that's so, then here's what I wonder: These photographers to whom this measure of recognition/success whatever you wish to call it, came as an unexpected result, is it actually the normal distribution curve of results that we're seeing?
This is to say, in any group there will be those who are on top, those who are in the bottom, and a large majority in assorted levels in the middle. So while their work is eye catching, there are many whose work is just as talented who aren't as recognized. Is their popularity actually the principle of randomness at work?
(Side note: I don't recall where I read it, and he didn't mention it in the podcast, but I did read some time ago that Juristi had hired a publicity firm to get him known as a destination wedding photographer).
p.2 #4 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
Brian Virts wrote:
"You have to create your pictures to satisfy yourself"
Todd, you just kinda yielded around that one?? haha
I don't know that I let him off the hook. Anyone who has listened to a few episodes knows how I feel on the topic so I'm not so much interested in being right as I am in understanding why people feel that way and what the net benefit of that opinion is.
I also sort of think no one really cares about my opinion. They are tuning in to hear the guest so I'm considering keeping my mouth shut more.
p.2 #6 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
TheGE wrote:
What I found interesting is that Juristi says he's not good at selling himself, gives the impression that success kind of happened as a happy consequence... and if that's so, then here's what I wonder: These photographers to whom this measure of recognition/success whatever you wish to call it, came as an unexpected result, is it actually the normal distribution curve of results that we're seeing?
This is to say, in any group there will be those who are on top, those who are in the bottom, and a large majority in assorted levels in the middle. So while their work is eye catching, there are many whose work is just as talented who aren't as recognized. Is their popularity actually the principle of randomness at work?
(Side note: I don't recall where I read it, and he didn't mention it in the podcast, but I did read some time ago that Juristi had hired a publicity firm to get him known as a destination wedding photographer).
I don't know anything about the publicist thing but I'll be happy to ask him about it. I don't think there is anything random about it - Fer has taken steps to make himself known in this industry as has everyone else who the community is aware of. No one gets plucked from obscurity, they elbow their way onto the pedestal.
p.2 #9 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
Wow. Thanks for this. He's always been one of my favorites. I hate the technicals of photography because I hate being in a box. So it was very encouraging to hear this.
p.2 #10 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
I really should have tagged up on that comment because I strongly believe that people are throwing out the "rules" for the wrong reasons. I don't believe that everyone who says they know they rules and choose to break them actually knows what the rules are and why they make images more communicative. It isn;t about making images boring or the same, it is about harnessing how the eye and the brain process an image and using that to the photographer's advantage.
p.2 #11 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
^Agreed. Some people seem to break the rules for the hell of it, or by accident from not knowing any better. But, when you understand the rules, you realize that you should only break them when you have a clear motivation for breaking them... not just to say "screw you" to the rules.
For example: Shooting a portrait that adheres to the rule of thirds is generally pleasing to the eye, but what if you want to create tension? Centering a person in your frame can create tension or even make them seem confrontational.
p.2 #12 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
You bring up a good point because I often scratch my head at some of the stuff that's deemed amazing on social sites by the photography world (most of my fellow photographer friends who have experience feel the same way). There's a very well known photographer that I'll keep anonymous who's work is lapped up by a large segment of the photography world. I think this person's work stinks. I also know this person is constantly submitting weddings to a certain magazine who also thinks they stink, too but the photog literally won't leave them alone and of course the squeaky wheel......occasionally gets published. When a person strikes a cord, it's definitely a fascinating thing and it has more to do with perception than reality. Although it's more important to strike a cord with brides than it is with fellow photographers unless you want to make your riches like David Jay. Fer does know how to shoot, though. I definitely don't pin his personality as a wedding photographer, though. While I like him, he's quite gruff in an industry where femininity is a stronghold. He definitely seems more like an advertising photographer.
But the unfortunate perception in today's world with both new photographers and brides is that a gorgeous bride wearing a $7000 dress in a million dollar location makes an amazing photographer. After all, Annie Leibowitz became Annie Leibowitz not by how she shot, but who she shot so I guess it's not that new after all.
TheGE wrote:
What I found interesting is that Juristi says he's not good at selling himself, gives the impression that success kind of happened as a happy consequence... and if that's so, then here's what I wonder: These photographers to whom this measure of recognition/success whatever you wish to call it, came as an unexpected result, is it actually the normal distribution curve of results that we're seeing?
This is to say, in any group there will be those who are on top, those who are in the bottom, and a large majority in assorted levels in the middle. So while their work is eye catching, there are many whose work is just as talented who aren't as recognized. Is their popularity actually the principle of randomness at work?
(Side note: I don't recall where I read it, and he didn't mention it in the podcast, but I did read some time ago that Juristi had hired a publicity firm to get him known as a destination wedding photographer).
p.2 #13 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
Now that is interesting.
TheGE wrote:
(Side note: I don't recall where I read it, and he didn't mention it in the podcast, but I did read some time ago that Juristi had hired a publicity firm to get him known as a destination wedding photographer).
p.2 #14 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
TRReichman wrote:
I don't know that I let him off the hook. Anyone who has listened to a few episodes knows how I feel on the topic so I'm not so much interested in being right as I am in understanding why people feel that way and what the net benefit of that opinion is.
I also sort of think no one really cares about my opinion. They are tuning in to hear the guest so I'm considering keeping my mouth shut more.
- trr
Yeah, I felt he was somewhat contradictory on this. He's just a dude with a camera that shots for himself, and "you get one crappy wedding to two good ones". I'm not sold that he's much of a service guy. That's all I'm sayin' , but I understand...
I think you could do a whole topic on adversarial relationships between photographers and clients. If you have a round table, I'd like to participate.
p.2 #15 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
Brian Virts wrote:
I think you could do a whole topic on adversarial relationships between photographers and clients. If you have a round table, I'd like to participate.
That's what our presentation at Mystic next January will be all about. Working on the program now.
p.2 #16 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
bookmarked to listen later since I enjoy his work. I'm not surprised he's a pretty comical and easy going person. I think most of the best wedding togs are.
p.2 #18 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
cineski wrote:
There's a very well known photographer that I'll keep anonymous who's work is lapped up by a large segment of the photography world. I think this person's work stinks. I also know this person is constantly submitting weddings to a certain magazine who also thinks they stink, too but the photog literally won't leave them alone
p.2 #19 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
TRReichman wrote:
That's what our presentation at Mystic next January will be all about. Working on the program now.
- trr
Finally, we get to the core! It kind of gets right into the issue you see so prevalent, wrong photographer, wrong clients. How do these situations get created? Clients book on price, not brand. Photographer needs the work, takes the job. Expectations aren't met on either end. Trust fails, relationship oscillates and spirals. Really it comes down to either you're a photographer/therapist or you're just incredibly self-aware OR you just run a cut and dry (well branded) no bullshit business. In the end, you probably need all three to build trusting relationships, achieve market sustainability, keep revenue high and liability low.
Making friends with clients and getting "clients for life" is probably a whole other Oprah, or not?
p.2 #20 · Fer Juaristi on the ...a Man to Fish... Podcast
Brian Virts wrote:
wrong photographer, wrong clients. How do these situations get created? Clients book on price, not brand. Photographer needs the work, takes the job. Expectations aren't met on either end.
Been there done that. It's one of the worst situations to be in in this business.
, but I understand...